Pick holder

ABSTRACT

This invention and discovery is directed to musical instruments and more particularly to stringed instruments which are manipulated by the fingers or a pick, so that when switching from finger manipulation to the pick, the hand need not be taken from the instrument. This is accomplished by positioning the pick between two coils of a spring which is secured to the instrument by any suitable means.

United States Patent [191 Watrous PICK HOLDER [22] Filed: Mar. 19, 1971 [21] App1.N0.: 126,027

[521 US. Cl. 84/329, 84/453 [51] Int. Cl. GlOd 3/00 [58] Field of Search 84/320, 322, 329, 84/453; 206/.8; 211/120; 248/205 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 570,321 10/1896 Mahler 84/329 631,729 8/1899 Smith 84/329 749.616 1/1904 Knell 84/329 2,482,258 9/1949 Funk 206/.8 2,397,291 3/1946 Robertson 211/120 X 51 Aug. 14, 1973 2,138,914 12/1938 Frey 211/120 2,643,840 6/1953 3,311,338 3/1967 3,529,649 9/1970 Bennett 248/205 A Primary Examiner-Richard B. Wilkinson Assistant Examiner-Lawrence R. Franklin Attomey-Robert l-l. Elliott [57] ABSTRACT 6 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures Patgnted Aug. 14, 1973 3,752,029

I N VEN TOR CHARLES A Mar-nous I05 59 ,5 R055 H E PICK HOLDER While numerous devices have been employed for positioning varoius things, springs have been used effectively for years, as illustrated in the following U. S. Pat. Nos.: 2,366,483, Holder for Pencils and Pens, Bona; 2,482,258, Coin Holder, Funk; 2,605,907, Rack for Toast and the Like, I-Iirst; 3,135,397, Pencil Holder Avsharian.

It is a primary object of the present invention to pro vide a pick holder for stringed musical instruments, which can be removably positioned on the instrument in any convenient position at the option of the musician, so that he can selectively elect the finger or pick mode of playing, without removing his hand from the instrument.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a pick holder, which when applied to the instrument will not impair its tone, nor damage the finish on the instrument.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a new and unique pick holder which can be applied to new as well as used instruments, while being simple inexpensive, durable and capable of being manufactured and assembled by modern mass production methods.

The above and other objects of the present invention can be accomplished by the provision of a generally flat symmetrical, resilient body having two integral spaced projections extending therefrom, said extensions being of generally cylindrical configuration, with each projection having an undercut portion intermediate a flanged head portion and the generally flat body portion, a coiled spring having circular loops on each, of the ends thereof in generally parallel relationship to the generally flat body portion, the cylindrical projections being disposed therethrough and stretched until the circular loops are disposed intermediate the flanged portion and the generally flat body, thereby securing same as an integral assembly, the underside of said body having a plurality of suction cups molded therein, or a covered adhesive surface thereon for securing the pick holder to the musical instrument, once the protective covered portion is removed to expose the adhesive surface.

Other objectsof the invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

, WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS,

FIG. 1 represents a plan view of the pick holder assembly which incorporates the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the pick holder assembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2-A is an end elevation of the left end of FIG. 2

FIG. 2-8 is an end elevation of the right end of a pick holder, illustrative of a modified form, similar to FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the underside of the structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively, with the adhesive protector torn away.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the underside of a modified pick holder construction, similar to that of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of another modified form of the present invention, taken along the central longitudinal axis thereof.

FIG. 8 is an exploded cross sectional view of still another modified form of the present invention, before assembly.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways, Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Looking now at the drawings, it will be noted in FIGS. 1, 2, 2-A, 2-8 and 3 that the complete assembly is identified by the numeral 10, while the resilient body portion thereof is identified by the number 12. The body portion 12 is of generally symmetrical configuration, with the end portions 14 and 16 respectively being shown round, although they could be of any predetermined configuration without departing from the scope of the invention. While the sides 22 and 24 are illustrated in generally parallel relationship, the need for symmetrical configuration of the body portion is one of the designers option. The upper side or top 26 of the body portion has molded integral therewith, two upstanding members 32 and 34 respectively, each having an undercut portion 36 intermediate the upper surface of the body 12 and the flanged portion 38. Extending upwardly from the flanged portion 38 is a stem 42 which is also integral therewith.

A coiled spring 52 which has looped ends 54 and 56 is positioned in such a manner as to permit the stem portions 42 of the upstanding members 32 and 34 to extend into the openings in each of the looped ends 54 and 56. Since the whole body portion is made of resilient material, the stern portions 42 are pulled away from the body portion 12. This permits the body of the flanged portion 38 to pass through the respective looped ends 52 and 54 of the spring, thereby positioning the ends of the spring, as well as the body of the spring in generally parallel relationship to .the upper surface 26 of the generally flat resilient body 12. Thereafter, the stem portions 42 are removed from the flanged portion to provide a unitary assembly. 5 r

In FIG. 3, it will be noted that theunderside of the body 12 is covered with an adhesive 62, which is covered with a protective member identified as .64. Thus when this protective member 64 is removed from the generally flat resilient body portion 12, the unit assembly can be positioned at will on a musical instrument. The adhesive is formulated in such a manner that it will not destroy or harm the finish on the instrument in any way.

In FIG. 4 of the drawings, three suction cups 72 are provided on the undersurface of the body 12-A, thus eliminating theneed for an adhesive as well as the protective member. Also, the upper side 26-A of the body l2-A is provided with a raised section which has a generally axial passage therein, for receiving the end of a spring which has a straight stem thereon, while the opposite end of the spring has a loop thereon which fits over a round boss 76 which has a threaded central portion 78 for receiving a screw which has a flanged head 79 thereon. Thus it will be apparent that one end of the spring is inserted into the opening 74, the other end thereof can be readily secured with a screw 79 on the opposite end to provide a unitary assembly.

In FIG. 7, the body 12 is of generally symmetrical configuration and has two raised portions, one on each end for receiving the straight stem ends of a spring, the spring being installed by horizontally stretching the resilient body portion sufficiently to permit the ends of the spring to be received in each of the aligned openings 92 located therein. An adhesive 94 covered with a protective member 96 is provided on the underside of the body member 12, as in the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 of the drawings is illustrative of another modified form of the present invention wherein a coil spring 52 is used which has loops 54 and 56 thereon. The end loops 54 and 56 are adapted to be positioned over two eyelets 101 which are inserted through two openings in a flexible sheet of material such as leather, rubber, vinyl, etc., or the like. identified as number 103. When this is accomplished, the, the eyelets are riveted over by any suitable means, thereby providing a unitary assembly, which is then secured to one face of a double faced adhesive coated resilient material such as rubber, sponge rubber, foamed urethene, etc., or the like, after the removal of protective member 105, which exposes the adhesive 107. Removal of the protective member 109 on the underside of the double face exposes the adhesive 111 so as to permit adhesion of the entire unit assembly on an instrument.

The complete assembly, independent of its configuration is positioned ona guitar immediately below the strings and in the path of the players hand, thus permitting pick-up or drop-off of the players pick without missing a beat, for which there is at present no available product.

While the above described accessory can be molded, as well as fabricated in a most attractive manner, it will be understood that the invention is simple and that is one of its attributes, and it fulfills a long felt need in the music industry. The invention can be manufactured and distributed at a nominal cost and will be well within the economic reach of all potential users.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A pick holder for a stringed musical instrument comprising:

a stringed musical instrument;--

a pick holder mounted on the body of said musical instrument adjacent the strings thereof, said pick holder comprising;

a generally flat body portion of resilient material;

a pair of substantially cylindrical, spaced extensions depending from the top of said body portion, said extensions being flanged adjacent to said body portion;

a coiled spring for holding said pick, said spring having circular loops on each end, the plane of said loops lying generally axially of said spring, each of said loops being placed between said flanges and said body portion;

and means provided on the underside of said body portion for securing said pick holder to said instrument body, whereby said body portion and said spring are mounted in generally parallel relation-- ship to said instrument body.

2. A device as in claim 1, wherein an adhesive is applied to the underside of said generally flat resilient body portion as the means for securing said body portion to said musical instrument, said adhesive being covered until time of application to the instrument.

3. A device as in claim 1 wherein said body portion is sufficiently flexible to conform to the contour of said instrument body when mounted thereon.

4. A device as in claim 1 wherein said securing means coihprises at least one suction cup provided on the underside of said body portion.

5. A device as in claim 1 wherein said body portion, said extensions, and said securing means are integral.

6. A device as in claim 1 wherein said pick holder is mounted on said instrument body beneath said strings. IF I. 

1. A pick holder for a stringed musical instrument comprising: a stringed musical instrument; a pick holder mounted on the body of said musical instrument adjacent the strings thereof, said pick holder comprising; a generally flat body portion of resilient material; a pair of substantially cylindrical, spaced extensions depending from the top of said body portion, said extensions being flanged adjacent to said body portion; a coiled spring for holding said pick, said spring having circular loops on each end, the plane of said loops lying generally axially of said spring, each of said loops being placed between said flanges and said body portion; and means provided on the underside of said body portion for securing said pick holder to said instrument body, whereby said body portion and said spring are mounted in generally parallel relationship to said instrument body.
 2. A device as in claim 1, wherein an adhesive is applied to the underside of said generally flat resilient body portion as the means for securing said body portion to said musical instrument, said adhesive being covered until time of application to the instrument.
 3. A device as in claim 1 wherein said body portion is sufficiently flexible to conform to the contour of said instrument body when mounted thereon.
 4. A device as in claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises at least one suction cup provided on the underside of said body portion.
 5. A device as in claim 1 wherein said body portion, said extensions, and said securing means are integral.
 6. A device as in claim 1 wherein said pick holder is mounted on said instrument body beneath said strings. 